Blog

A Holly Jolly Day: Riverside Holiday Market 2025 Highlights

Yesterday was a merry affair in the neighbourhood as the community gathered for an afternoon of seasonal fun at this year’s Riverside Holiday Market inside Ralph Thornton Community Centre!

We’d like to thank all the amazing people who made the Riverside Holiday Market a success: our event collaborators, local vendors, volunteers and of course, YOU for joining us!

In case you missed it, here are some highlights from this year’s Riverside Holiday Market:

Our lovely vendors like Lucky Confectionary brought festive homebaked treats to the Riverside Holiday Market 

This year, the Riverside Holiday Market went indoors at Ralph Thornton Community Centre

There were plenty of free fun activities for the kiddos at the Riverside Holiday Market like cupcake decorating

Santa spread *JOY* by greeting visitors as they entered the Riverside Holiday Market

Shout out to all of you who came and made this year’s Riverside Holiday Market a success!

Check out these cool custom tree ornaments by Learn With Resin

If Santa brought the vibes, DJ Stevie Kicks brought the tunes to the Riverside Holiday Market

The McGregor Carollers stopped by to serenade visitors with their soulful rendition of holiday classics

Drag artist Messy Margaret hosted a game of bingo at the Toronto Public Library Queen/Saulter Branch

Hosted by artist Ella Mazur, the Riverside Window Wonderland Art Walk happened in conjunction with the Riverside Holiday Market

In true Riverside BIA tradition, we’re wrapping up the year with our annual fundraiser: the Riverside Antler Breakfast, happening on Friday, December 12th from 8am to 10am at the second floor of Ralph Thornton Community Centre (765 Queen St E). 

Now in its 14th year, the Riverside Antler Breakfast is raising funds in support of Fontbonne Ministries’ Food Program at their Mustard Seed location and the RTCC’s programming. Come join us and support a great cause! Learn more about it HERE.

Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates on our community programming!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for support of this campaign as part of the ‘Riverside Ramps it Up’ project through the Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Fund 2025.

Getting Ready for Riverside Holiday Market 2025

The 2025 Riverside Holiday Market is happening this weekend and in case you hadn’t heard, we’re going indoors this year!

Join us on Sunday, November 23th (11am-4pm) at Ralph Thornton Community Centre (765 Queen St E) for a day of yuletide fun. From local vendors to free kids’ activities to the Riverside Window Wonderland Art Walk, we’ve got a fun Sunday prepared for you.

It’s the last of our community markets for the year so let’s make it a memorable one. Here are a few reminders for the 2025 Riverside Holiday Market:

Come early.

From hot chocolate to cookie decorating to henna, we’ve got a lot of FREE treats and activities at the Riverside Holiday Market, and yes, Santa will be there!

However, some things do come in limited quantities so be there as early as 11am so you don’t miss out on the goodies!

Photo credit: Catherine & Co.

Prepare Your list.

If you’re planning on getting some holiday shopping done, make a list and check it twice. We are taking over the full Ralph Thornton Community Centre and we’ve got an awesome line-up of local vendors and small businesses showcasing their products at the market.  Be sure to check it out and visit every floor!

Sign up for the Art Walk.

Led by artist Ella Mazur, the Riverside Window Wonderland Art Walk tour kicks off at the Riverside Holiday Market and ends with a complimentary snack and refreshment at Queen Garden Cafe (771 Queen E). Register HERE.

Help spread the word.

Tell your family, friends, neighbours, everybody! The more the merrier, right?

RSVP.

Let us know you’re coming. When you pre-register, you can get event deets and other important updates straight to your inbox. Sign up HERE to get your FREE tickets or click on the RSVP button above!

Check out @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog so you’re always updated on exciting happenings in the neighbourhood. See you all on November 23rd!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for support of this campaign as part of the ‘Riverside Ramps it Up’ project through the Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Fund 2025.

Riverside Window Wonderland: Meet The Artists (Part 1 of 2)

If you’ve been in the neighbourhood lately, you’ve probably noticed storefronts looking extra festive. That only means one thing: Riverside Window Wonderland is ON! 

The Riverside BIA has collaborated again with local artists and local businesses and organizations to usher in the spirit of the holidays with a showcase of festive window art.

Get to know the talented artists who animated the windows of 25+ businesses in Riverside for Riverside Window Wonderland (part 1 of 2):

Sasha

Website | Instagram

Sasha is a freelance illustrator and graphic designer. She is a traditional illustrator at heart, with a secret love for murals. Art has always been a part of her, and she loves exploring new ways to bring ideas to life. She gets inspiration from fantasy, nature and all things quirky.

You’ll find Sasha’s art at these businesses:

  • Riverside Burgers
  • Eastbound Brewing Company
  • Common Sort

Monica Wickeler (aka monicaonthemoon)

Website | Instagram

Monica is a LGBTQ2S+ Luxembourg/Canadian public artist. Also known as monicaonthemoon, she originally trained in the craft of hand-painted outdoor advertising but has moved Monica’s practice toward community-based public art installations in Toronto and across Canada.

You’ll find Monica Wickeler’s art at these businesses:

  • Riverside Dental
  • St. John’s Eco Market
  • Queen Garden Centre
  • Fontbonne Ministries

Mia Carnevale

Website

Mia Carnevale is an artist and illustrator from Toronto, Canada. She has illustrated for publications such as The Walrus, Hodder & Stoughton UK and designs movie posters for local Toronto cinemas. In her practice, she is interested in exploring motifs from folktales, antiquities and romance.

You’ll find Mia Carnevale’s art at these businesses:

  • The Broadview Hotel
  • UNTITLED by Flaunt Boutique
  • Tabule Middle Eastern Cuisine

Valentina Lozano Leon (aka La Pupila)

Instagram

Valentina, a.k.a. La Pupila, is a Colombian artist based in Toronto. Her art focuses on exploring feminine energy, often with an aura of melancholy. Through symbols, distorted forms and evocative faces, she hopes to illustrate the complexities of the female experience — her fears, her hopes and her vision for a better world. While her work is deeply personal, she approaches these themes with a poetic and gentle visual language, creating space for introspection and connection. It is an exploration of memory, emotions and the transformative power of symbols.

You’ll find La Pupila’s at these businesses:

  • Korman & Company
  • Bonjour Brioche

Cesar Alonso Rodriguez

Website | Instagram

Cesar is a public artist based in Toronto best known for his mural painting and large-scale public art installations. Holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Painting and Drawing, he creates work that blends elements of his Latin American heritage with contemporary artistic practices. The result is vibrant, thought-provoking pieces that engage both local and global audiences.His practice spans a variety of mediums, with a focus on expansive murals and UV-reactive 3D installations that transform public spaces and foster community connection. He seeks to push boundaries and explore themes of identity, culture and social issues.

You’ll find Cesar Alonso Rodriguez’s art at these businesses:

  • Amavi Atelier
  • Album Hair Salon
  • Naz Treasures

Catch Riverside Window Wonderland until Dec. 31, 2025! Go on an art walk at your own pace with our online map or by grabbing a physical copy at any of the participating businesses.

Speaking of art walk…

The Riverside Window Wonderland Art Walk, in conjunction with the 2025 Riverside Holiday Market, is happening this Sunday, November 23rd. Sign up HERE.

Visit. Vote. Enter.

Don’t forget to scan the QR code on the windows to join the Riverside Window Wonderland contest. You have until Dec. 7th to vote for your favourite windows and enter our raffle and winners will be announced on Dec. 10th, but the window art will be up for you to enjoy Dec. 31st!

Check @riverside_bia on Instagram and the Riverside Blog for updates on Riverside Window Wonderland. Stay tuned for PART TWO of the artists’ features coming next week!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for support of this campaign as part of the ‘Riverside Ramps it Up’ project through the Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Fund 2025.

“Pass It On” Murals

“Pass It On” Murals by Gust of Wind Studio

In 2025, the Riverside BIA collaborated with Fontbonne Minsitries, Mustard Seed location and Gust of Wind Studio to envision a community-focused mural comprised of several parts using the elements in the public realm around Fontbonne’s Mustard Seed Courtyard at 791 Queen E and in collaboration with the adjacent Re/Max Hallmark Realty location at 785 Queen E. The result is a vibrant mural that also invites community members and visitors of all walks of life to enjoy the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere at this location in Riverside. Learn more below and check out the art:

About the Art

The mural design is inspired by the idea of “pass it on,” reflecting the area’s spirit and ongoing care for the community. The design weaves together universal symbols of compassion, renewal and belonging into a vibrant and hopeful composition. These elements are unified on a geometric grid referencing the Riverside BIA’s visual identity. The grid also brings rhythm, balance and a sense of connection — showing how individual parts come together to create a greater whole, and celebrating the spirit of continuity, care, and passing it forward.

About the Artist

Mateusz Napieralski is a Polish-Canadian illustrator, designer, and animator based in Toronto. Working under his creative practice, Gust of Wind Studio, he blends graphic and motion design with illustration to create bold, geometric compositions. His work spans advertising, editorial, digital, packaging, and murals. Passionate about purpose-driven collaboration, Mateusz focuses on projects that celebrate LGBTQ+ communities, support creative education, encourage community building, and promote mental well-being. More at (IG gust_of_wind_studio)

Kudos to our partners in art!

Thanks to the many artists who assisted with this project. This project was in collaboration of the Riverside BIA and Fontbonne Ministries Mustard Seed location (791 Queen E), with space also provided by Re/Max Hallmark Realty Ltd. (785 Queen E). The project was made possible thanks to the City of Toronto’s Transit Construction Mitigation Grant.

 

Pass It On Murals at Fontbonne 791 Queen St East by Gust of Wind Studio a project of Riverside BIA Pass It On Murals at Fontbonne 791 Queen St East by Gust of Wind Studio a project of Riverside BIA Pass It On Murals at Fontbonne 791 Queen St East by Gust of Wind Studio a project of Riverside BIA

Riverside Window Wonderland is ON! Visit. Vote. Enter.

Riverside Window Wonderland invites local artists to partner with local businesses to turn their storefront windows into a canvas for festive holiday art.

The Riverside BIA invites you to visit 25+ holiday windows on storefronts along Queen St E from Davies to De Grassi St.

You’re invited to VISIT them all. VOTE for your faves, and ENTER our local prize raffle!

Check out our online map HERE. 

Here are some of the activities you can enjoy as part of the campaign:

ART WALK

Join us on Saturday, Nov 23rd for a *FREE* Art Walk to explore and delve deeper into Riverside Window Wonderland with us. 

Led by artist Ella Mazur, the tour kicks off at the Riverside Holiday Market (765 Queen St E) and ends with a complimentary snack and refreshment at Queen Garden Cafe (771 Queen E).

RSVP to the Riverside Window Wonderland Art Walk HERE!

RAFFLE CONTEST

If you’re in the neighbourhood checking out the amazing art, you’ll notice the Riverside Window Wonderland poster on the windows of the participating businesses.

To enter the raffle, simply scan the QR code any of the windows, vote for your top three (3) favourite window art designs, and leave your contact info to enter the raffle. You can vote and enter once, anytime between Nov 17th and Dec 7th. The contest closes Dec 7th at noon and winners will be announced on Wednesday, Dec 10th!

Full mechanics and raffle submission link can be found HERE. Although the contest ends on Dec 10th, the window art will be up for you to enjoy until Dec 31st!

Be sure to follow @riverside_bia on Instagram and check the Riverside Blog regularly for updates on Riverside Window Wonderland!

We acknowledge and thank the City of Toronto, Government of Canada and FedDev Ontario for support of this campaign as part of the ‘Riverside Ramps it Up’ project through the Transit Expansion Construction Mitigation Fund 2025.